Charles de Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)
Also known as Charles de Montesquieu, was a French political thinker who lived during the Enlightenment and is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers.
Liberty is the right of doing whatever the laws permit.
At our coming into the world, we contract an immense debt to our country, which we can never discharge.
The laws do not take upon them to punish any other than overt acts.
The culture of lands requires the use of money.
[Britain is] a nation that may be justly called a republic, disguised under the form of a monarchy.
I shall be obliged to wander to the right and to the left, that I may investigate and discover the truth.
I acknowledge that history is full of religious wars: but we must distinguish; it is not the multiplicity of religions which has produced wars; it is the intolerant spirit animating that which believed itself in the ascendant.
This punishment of death is the remedy, as it were, of a sick society.
When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.
Better it is to say that the government most comfortable to nature is that which best agrees with the humor and disposition of the people in whose favor it is established.
The public business must be carried on with a certain motion, neither too quick nor too slow.
If I knew of something that could serve my nation but would ruin another, I would not propose it to my prince, for I am first a man and only then a Frenchman...because I am necessarily a man, and only accidentally am I French.
Money is a sign which represents the value of all merchandise.
J'ai toujours vu que, pour réussir dans le monde, il fallait avoir l'air fou et ?tre sage.
Life was given to me as a favor, so I may abandon it when it is one no longer.
I can assure you that no kingdom has ever had as many civil wars as the kingdom of Christ.
Christianity stamped its character on jurisprudence; for empire has ever a connection with the priesthood.
La Société est l'union des hommes, et non pas les hommes.
[The Pope] will make the king believe that three are only one, that the bread he eats is not bread...and a thousand other things of the same kind.
La raillerie est un discours en faveur de son esprit contre son bon naturel.